Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time-traveling ballerina, back with another installment of #TutuTuesday. This week, we're taking a whirlwind trip back to the year 1852. Buckle up your tutus, dear readers, because things are about to get seriously historical!
Post #1089 - A Parisian Soirée
This week, I've been whisked away to Paris, the city of lights and, yes, the birthplace of my favourite fashion staple: the tutu! It's hard to believe that in 1852, the tutu we know and love today was just starting to take shape.
Now, imagine a world where ballerinas twirled in voluminous skirts, their movements hindered by yards upon yards of heavy fabrics. This was the world of the late 1840s, the world where Marie Taglioni had graced the stage in her legendary "La Sylphide" – but her white, gauzy "tutu" was nothing like the ones we wear today.
Imagine my delight when I stepped onto the bustling Parisian streets, past the horse-drawn carriages and cobblestone pathways, into the hallowed halls of the Opéra Garnier, its grand facade shimmering like a jewel in the afternoon light.
Oh, my dears! I was at the Palais Garnier, a place that would later inspire Gaston Leroux's famous Phantom of the Opera tale, but tonight was about the real magic - ballet! The air was thick with the excitement of a new age dawning. A hush fell as the lights dimmed, and the first ballerina emerged in a dazzling spectacle.
This wasn't a fluffy cloud of tulle like the ones we wear now, it was a layered skirt with shorter tiers, showcasing the ballerina's elegant limbs as she moved. This is what we consider the “Romantic tutu.” It had a certain charm, I’ll grant you, with a flow and fluidity I would love to emulate if only it wasn't quite so cumbersome for pirouettes!
Fashion Trends
Oh, to have been alive during the Victorian Era! In this era of ruffles, lace, and crinoline, the tutu was a revelation. Fashion was all about the “waist,” accentuated by intricate bodices, and a long, trailing skirt, as if the very air carried the grandeur of the time.
The Romantic era, in full swing around 1852, was a time when people adored nature and poetry. And so, in Paris, everything felt like it came straight from a fairytale - and a fairytale in tutus, no less! Imagine my delight as I popped into a quaint boutique and marveled at the latest gowns with bonnets and frilly lace. But then, wouldn't you know, a mischievous imp of a thought popped into my mind – what would the ladies look like if they replaced those cumbersome skirts with a twirling, light-as-a-feather pink tutu? A fashion show for the ages, if I may say so!
But while I am smitten with pink, let's be fair - 1852 had its own shades of sophistication. The pale pink of the pastel hues mixed with soft shades of yellow, blue, lavender, and a plethora of fabrics: velvet, silk, taffeta – my heart is truly aching to have been present when the world was abuzz with so much elegance.
The World Beyond Paris
From Paris, my travels took me aboard a grand train, gliding along the tracks like a swan on a moonlit lake, towards the grand city of London, where Queen Victoria ruled. Now, imagine this! The very air in London seemed to whisper tales of the Industrial Revolution. Steam engines belched and puffed their way through the city, transporting people and ideas alike. But in London's theatre district, there was still a captivating allure.
I managed to catch a glimpse of the legendary dancers of the time: Carlotta Grisi, the ethereal queen of the ballet, or Fanny Elssler, whose powerful movements stole the show! In those smoky, candlelit theatres, the ballet was like a beam of light - a window to another world. A world where elegance still reigned, where grace reigned supreme. The Romantic tutu was the highlight - it was the key to unlock this world. Oh, the enchantment!
But the greatest fascination of 1852 for me? It wasn't the tutu. It was the excitement surrounding a very different kind of spectacle: the Crystal Palace. It's where, this year, The Great Exhibition had been staged – the largest and most successful exhibition ever mounted in the UK! The whole world, literally, gathered together, to admire the ingenuity of its era.
It seems that tutus weren't just captivating the world of dance; even industry embraced a sort of elegance in their advancements. I’d have loved to have seen that! Perhaps some enterprising industrialist was sporting a top hat with a miniature pink tutu – or perhaps not… but still, the concept! What fun that would have been!
My Verdict
I've just had the most incredible trip! Back in 1852, ballet and fashion intertwined, creating a magical and enchanting experience.
I know that in our modern times, it's easy to forget the beauty and history of dance. But when you put on a tutu and pirouette around your living room, think about the stories hidden within its folds. I can’t wait for next week! I'm already thinking of the next grand event that awaits – perhaps I'll land on stage myself – who knows!
In the meantime, don't forget to let me know in the comments what your favourite eras are, and which famous ballet performances you love to watch.
Until next #TutuTuesday, darlings, and always remember to embrace your inner ballerina!
Much love,
Emma 💕
